Communal Tarantula Project

[stonemantis]

I know how unprobable this method is but, if a communal tarantula project where to happen which pokey species is the most likely to successfully cohabit with each other on a large scale?

 

[AfterTheAsylum]

Simple answer: None. So don't do it.

 

[Snipes]

I have seen a regalis one, but like Soulsick says, just DONT. I dont see what you could accomplish really

 

[stonemantis]

Any reason why? Based on fact not theory. Curiously speaking of course.

 

[Aubrey Sidwell]

Actually the P. regalis can live quite normally communally. At an exotic pet show here last year a dealer had 10 adult P. regalis living together. They were laying all over each other legs intertwined and all. If you start a communal setup with them do it while they are juvies. I would not attempt a communal setup with adults purchased seperately. A 20 gallon high side aquarium could easily house 5 adults.

 

[Amanda]

If you're starting with juvis, as you should, consider the possibility that they may breed in the future. It's probably a good idea to order them from different dealers so they come from different egg sacks. Inbreeding is a no no. ;-)

 

[stonemantis]

Actually the P. regalis can live quite normally communally. At an exotic pet show here last year a dealer had 10 adult P. regalis living together. They were laying all over each other legs intertwined and all. If you start a communal setup with them do it while they are juvies. I would not attempt a communal setup with adults purchased seperately. A 20 gallon high side aquarium could easily house 5 adults.

I read that the P. regalis group together in the wild to heat themselves up when it gets too cool and to somewhat maintain humidity. Thanks for the useful info.

 

[stonemantis]

If you're starting with juvis, as you should, consider the possibility that they may breed in the future. It's probably a good idea to order them from different dealers so they come from different egg sacks. Inbreeding is a no no. ;-)

I already have the groups lined up so that inbreeding isn't an issue. Thanks for the helpful info as well.

 

[matija]

what about feeding in comunal setup?

how do you feed them? just throw in a bunch of cricks and roaches?
i mean..if one of them don't get his food... will he attack one of his "cellmates"?

 

[matija]

and about inbreeding...

how can it be..? if males grow up much faster than the females? can females be mated before they reach their full size? when are they sexually matured?

thanks
matija

 

[stooka]

wot bout P.formosa ive heard they can be very comunial too,infact i have 2 juves intogether at mo,both live eat moult and co-habit fine.although i will be seperating in the near future,

 

[MRL]

Regalis would be the easiest to deal with any potential losses. I'd go with that.

 

[stonemantis]

what about feeding in comunal setup?

how do you feed them? just throw in a bunch of cricks and roaches?
i mean..if one of them don't get his food... will he attack one of his "cellmates"?

Food and water will be plentiful to narrow the chances of cannibalism.

 

[stonemantis]

and about inbreeding...

how can it be..? if males grow up much faster than the females? can females be mated before they reach their full size? when are they sexually matured?

thanks
matija

Inbreeding will only become an issue if the slings came from the same sack or they are mated with their parents. Since males mature faster than females when the population is sexed the males will be seperated from the group and mated when mature. So really inbreeding won't be an issue unless they are bred with their mother.

Conclusion=Highly unlikely.

 

[angelarachnid]

I have been directed to this thread.

P. ornata and P. striata are cannibalistic (though some people find P. striata to be ok together).

Of all the other pokes P. formosa, P miranda i have found to be the most social, my group of P. mettalica seem to be ok together .

I have reared groups from 5 - full eggsacs (mostly regalis and miranda) together with minimal problems, in 5L cerial containers.

With the exception of P ornata it is not yet known if the cannibalism is young feeding on dead young. With P. ornata it is the larger ones feeding on the smaller ones.

Many people here in the UK have groups of Poecilotheria mostly regalis, but others with fasciata and formosa.

to start of with i would sugest you have spiderlings all from the same eggsac (though this is probably not esential if you introduce same sized young in together at the same time into a fresh container). see future BTS journal article(s)

Dont worry about the inbreeding thing there is no scientific proof this occurs in theraphosid spiders. last year a 3rd generation inbred male fathered 1140 young, (previous BTS journal article) he was very large at around 20cm leg dia disproving the rubbish about inbred males being smaller and infertile.

Ray

 

[stonemantis]

Thanks for the helpful info. That gives me some ideas.

 

[Ronj]

I have read many of the threads on this topic here on the arachnoboards, and most of these have the same comments, results and or suggestions. I have a new a new approach and would like to offer the following.

To anyone considering a communal set up...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send me one of the tarantulas that you plan on using in this type of set up. Either way, you will end up with the same results, one less tarantula.... and I will be happy!

Thank you, i'll be here all week!

 

[stonemantis]

I have read many of the threads on this topic here on the arachnoboards, and most of these have the same comments, results and or suggestions. I have a new a new approach and would like to offer the following.

To anyone considering a communal set up...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send me one of the tarantulas that you plan on using in this type of set up. Either way, you will end up with the same results, one less tarantula.... and I will be happy!

Thank you, i'll be here all week!

Any species preferences?

 

[brachymad]

Everything is impossible untill someone manages it. My pokies will all die one day . I think I will keep them together for the time being.

 

[stonemantis]

Brachymad,
Are those P. regalis? If so congratulations on the communal setup.